The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s Working Group on Demand, which is chaired by the Commissioner, John Galvin, GM and Vice-President of Intel Corporation’s Government and Education group, launched a new report yesterday.
The report showcases the results of six case studies of different country-led programs in Costa Rica, Colombia, India, Kenya, Senegal and South Korea. The programmes explored how to best stimulate ICT adoption and increase the use and impact of technologies and broadband in various communities and environments. The case studies provide a useful window into different ways to collaborate in order to get underserved populations online.
“Information and communication technologies are crucial in achieving all of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, because ICTs integrate and support all three pillars of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainable,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.
Launched at the conclusion of the ITU Telecom World plenary session, Reaching another billion: Understanding what works to stimulate ICT adoption, the Working Group on Demand report provides main lines for discussion for panelists representing the public, industry and civil society.
The report is a collaborative effort of several commissioners and Working Group members, resulting in a list of recommendations that can effectively lead to the enabling environment required to encourage more people to get online. The report said governments have a vested role in the solutions, and that the greatest positive benefits are achieved with public-private partnerships when all relevant stakeholders collaborate and leverage their respective expertise and resources and ultimately work together towards common goals.
The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development was established in 2010 and comprises more than 50 leaders from across a range of government and industry sectors who are committed to actively assisting countries, UN experts and NGO teams to fully leverage the huge potential of ICTs to drive national SDG strategies in key areas like education, healthcare and environmental management.
